Never the same

2 years ago, February 20th 2013, I left my family and everything I had known and entered the MTC. I entered with 3 suitcases full of all I could take of my life and left the rest behind. I went through a room full of tables and was in a daze. I got my name tag, and put it over my heart, devoting myself to it's message for the next 18 months. I was a deciple of Jesus Christ the son of God, I was called of Him to declare His word among His people that they might have everlasting life. (3 nephi 5:13)The day was finally here! The MTC was buzzing with Elders and Sisters shouting "welcome to the MTC" and all I could think was how excited I was to be a missionary and how scared I was because I had no idea what I was doing. Little did I know that my whole life would be changed forever. I am so grateful for that day, I chose to take a giant leap of faith and enter the missionary training center. A place where angels walk the hallways. The spirit had never been so tangible to me. I wasn't crying because I was sad, I was crying because of the overwhelming feeling of the spirit. We went to an orientation meeting and began to sing "armies of Heleman" I had sang it the same way my whole life. But this time instead of "we will be the Lord's missionaries" we sang "we are now the Lord's missionaries" the change of 2 words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was officially the Lord's missionary! I had the sacred opportunity to wear Christ's name on my heart for the next 18 months. That night as I went to sleep I felt overwhelming joy, and a confirmation that I was where I needed to be. 

That day changed my entire life. I am so grateful for the decision I made to go on a mission and serve the Lord. I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I am grateful for the things I learned and the people I met. But most of all I am grateful for the relationship I gained with my Heavenly Father and my Savior. I will truly never be the same. 

Be of Good Cheer

           When I got home from my mission I was pretty scared, I (like a lot of other missionaries) hated being home. I wanted to be in Washington more than anything in the world. I didn't know what in the world I was doing here in Utah, and I basically had to figure myself out again. which I had already done for the past 18 months

          Obviously, a lot of missionaries feel this way, which is why they always say the adjustment is hard! But i wanted to have a different attitude about it. I wanted to have a firm hope and trust in God. I didn't want to "adjust" I wanted to progress. One day I decided to go to the temple and do a session. As I was sitting in the chapel a scripture came to mind that I remembered my mission president quoting. John 16:33 says : "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
I knew full heartedly that God had called me on a mission in Washington for 18 months for a reason. I also knew that when that 18 months were over I would be called to come back home. I knew that there was a real reason why I was coming home. And I knew God knew that it was a trial for me to leave a place that owned my heart and soul. But that day in the temple God told me to trust in Christ. to "be of good cheer" because He had overcome the WORLD. From that day forward I promised myself I would try to have a positive attitude.

        Now, 5 months later I am so happy. Everything in my life is going right at the moment. I enjoy my job, I am loving school and all the things I am learning, I'm still learning about and loving the gospel, and I've gained some really incredible relationships. What have I learned from all this? I have learned how much God truly wants us to be happy in every circumstance and to trust in Him. Every time I had to leave an area in my mission, I would cry to my mission president that I didn't want to leave! But he always said something like "if you had never left Steilacoom, you never would have met the people you love in Chambers Creek" every time, he was right. And the same thing applies here. There are people to love everywhere. I am so grateful for the people I have in my life right now. And if I had never left Washington I wouldn't have met the people I love here in Utah or that I've met because I'm in Utah. God blesses us with angles in our lives, to guide us, to help us stay on the right path. I am grateful for my angels, I couldn't survive without all of the amazing people I have in my life right now. Each from different areas of my life. Because I trusted in God He has blessed me beyond measure. So we must "Be Of Good Cheer" because God will take care of us no matter what, but we choose whether to be happy with our life or not. But I assure you God always wants us to be happy. So rejoice in your trials, because God is preparing you for a better day and a better life. You wouldn't have the things you love in life now if you hadn't left others behind.

“You can be smart and happy or stupid and miserable. . . it's your choice”― Gordon B. Hinckley